Pages

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

I found this very sad report about the death of my Great Great Grandfather, John McCarthy (1835-1885) on Trove recently. I already knew that John had died after being kicked by a horse, but reading the newspaper reports always make the incidents of the past more real for me. I found the line "after suffering great agony" particularly upsetting.

Rest in peace Great Great Grandfather McCarthy.

The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser, 3 April, 1885.

SAD FATAL ACCIDENT - A very lamentable accident occurred about 5 o'clock on Saturday evening last resulting in the death of a very old resident of the place, Mr John M'Carthy, of Commissioner's Flat. Mr M'Carthy had just returned home with a load of chaff from the township, and after taking out the horse and putting it in the stable proceeded to carry in the chaff through the stable door. He was in the act of carrying in one of the bags, when the horse kicked out striking him violently in the abdomen, causing serious internal injuries from which he died about 7 o'clock on the following morning, after suffering great agony. The deceased was quite conscious to the last and stated how the accident occurred. We believe some of the children were standing by when the accident happened. Immediately after the accident Dr Clark was sent for and saw the deceased about 20 minutes after the occurrence and in company with Dr Scobell about two hours later. Under the circumstances, and inquiry was not considered necessary, thus, we are glad to state,relieving the family and friends from further pain. Very general sympathy is felt for the widow and children of the deceased, Mrs M'Carthy being left with nine children to lamest their sad loss.We understand it is the intention to start a subscription for the relief of the family in their distress. The funeral took place on Tuesday and was numerously attended.

The Heathcote community did start a subscription for the relief of John's family. The following advertisement appeared in The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser on 8 May 1885.

NOTICEPERSONS having Lists of Subscriptions in aid of the Widow and Family of the late Mr John M'Carthy are respectfully requested to hand them in without delay to Mr John Long, Heathcote, or the undersigned.Michael Manton.Heathcote, 6th May, 1885.

Thank you John Long and Michael Manton and the residents of the Heathcote district for helping my McCarthy family all those years ago. As stated in the top article, Mrs McCarthy (Catherine nee Mannix) had nine children to care for. The eldest daughter Norah was aged 20 years and the youngest Denis (Din) was under 3 years of age at the time of his father's death. My Great Grandfather, Patrick (Paddy) would have been 15 years of age.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

This is an obituary for my Great Great Grandfather Edmund Joyce (1833-1916). His name is incorrectly given as 'Edwin' in this obituary which appeared in both the Bendigo Advertiser and the Bendigonian. For more information about the Joyce family please see my Family History Through the Alphabet post J is for Joyce.Bendigonian, 7 September 1916, page 20.

Mr. Edwin Joyce, a very old resident of the Pannoobamawm district, died at his residence, in Ramsay-street, Rochester, on Friday, from senile decay. For about 44 years the members of Joyce family have (says our Rochester correspondent) been esteemed residents of the district, and the news of the death of the pioneer farmer will be received with regret by a large circle of friends. The late Mr. Joyce arrived in the district in 1872 from Ballarat. He successfully followed farming pursuits till about three years ago, when he built a residence in Ramsay-street, and came with his wife and unmarried daughters to the town to reside. A widow and family of fifteen are left to mourn the loss of a kind parent. The deceased gentle-man, who was 84 years of age, came from Ireland. Two of his daughters are nuns,and two of his sons are members of the Catholic clergy in New South Wales. The remains of the late Mr. Joyce were interred in the Rochester Cemetery on Saturday, when a large number of mourners attended. The Rev. Father Griffin officiated at the grave.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The annual picnic and sports in connection with the local State school were held in Mr. Holmes's paddock, about a mile from the township. There was a good attendance of parents, accompanied by their children, who were laden with all sorts of edibles etc. The headmaster (Mr. D. P. Kelly) assisted by the elder folks, did all in their power to promote the enjoyment of the children. During the afternoon a capital programme of races, etc. was carried out. Results: - Handicap Trot - Mr. B. Sullivan's Tommy (R. Dawson), 1. Mr. W. Fullerton's Tariff (Owner), 2. Young Men's Race - P. Cleary. 1: D. McCormick, 2: J. McCormick. 3. Nail-driving (ladies) - Miss A Dawson. Gents' Hat Trimming - G. Fullerton, 1: G. Gleeson, 2; J. Fullerton. 3. Married Ladies' Race - Mrs Millman. 1: Mrs. Fullerton, 2: Mrs. Boyd, 3. At the conclusion of the sports refreshments were laid out on tables etc., and those present partook of a splendid repast. After tea an adjournment was made to the local hall where a dance was held for the elder people. Mr. P. Cleary acted as M.C. while the music for the dance was supplied by Messrs J. McKee, J. Harney and J. Murray. During the interval Misses A. and F. Simmie with bagpipe accompaniments by Mr. J. Murray, danced the sailor's hornpipe and Highland fling. At midnight supper was provided by Mr. A. Vanthoff, of Elmore, and about 60 couples sat down to partake of the good things provided. After supper dancing was resumed, and continued until an early hour in the morning. The secretarial arrangements were capably carried out by Miss A. Dawson. Measles are very prevalent in this district, numbers of school children being affected.

My great great uncle William Peter Fullerton, riding his horse named Tariff, came second in the Handicap Trot.

And because there would not have been any other 'Mrs Fullerton' in the area at that time, I now know that my Great Great Grandmother, Dorothea Fullerton (nee Atkinson), aged 50, came second in the 'Married Ladies' Race'! (I obviously didn't inherit my athletic abilities - read non-abilities - from this branch of my family!!)